The Namibian 2017-09-11, by Ndanki Kahiurika
The Namibian-German Special Initiative Programme (NGSIP) made its final project handover of a N$7 million school at Ovitoto on 8 September 2017.
NGISP is an...

Buildings at Blouwes, Tses schools improved

The Namibian-German Special Initiative Programme (NGSIP) handed over projects worth over N$8 million to Blouwes and Tses primary schools in the //Karas region on Friday. The Blouwes Primary School received a newly built computer laboratory equipped with desks, chairs, a printer and 20 computers; a 48-bed dormitory for boys; a dining hall and kitchen.

The new structures replace corrugated iron structures that served as the boys' hostel, dining hall and open-fire kitchen. The Nowak Primary School at Tses received three pre-primary school classrooms, renovated ablution facilities and a computer laboratory with 20 workstations.

Head of development cooperation at the Embassy of Germany in Namibia, Christian Gruen, said a development policy is effective when it motivates people to get involved in actively shaping their own lives. “We want a policy which gets people going, creates new opportunities, sets free new individual power, and helps talents,” he said. Gruen said 'minds for change' can only happen with education. “Education creates sustainable jobs, good welfare, individual liberty and self-determined development in economic, political, social and cultural aspects,” he said. Gruen said he was against a policy defined by a relationship of giving and receiving of aid. “Capacitating key actors in their own development through sound education allows them to take control of their destiny,” he said. The German representative said the NGSIP remains a special historic and moral responsibility towards Namibia, adding although the programme was heavily input-based, what counted more were the results. Ned Sibeya of the National Planning Commission, which is the implementing partner of the NGSIP on behalf of the Namibian government, urged the learners to take ownership of their lives by studying. “Assume full responsibility of your future which will be for the betterment of your entire communities,” he said. He described the NGSIP as a “fruitful partnership in the spirit of ubuntu and harambe”. Ubuntu means humanity to others, and Harambe means working together.

Special adviser to the //Karas governor Hansina Christiaan said the rural Blouwes and Tses initiatives were proof of the vision of “no one being left out” and requested the learners to make good use of their time in school to complete their education in the required period. Since his inauguration in March this year, President Hage Geingob has been urging that no one should be left out.

The NGSIP is operational in the //Karas, Hardap, Omaheke, Khomas, Kunene, Erongo and Otjozondjupa regions. It is involved with developments in water infrastructure, livestock farming, schools and hostels, traditional authority offices and commercial centres. The programme is worth a total of N$480 million and comes to a close at the end of September, unless a new agreement is reached between the German and Namibian governments during a scheduled bilateral meeting later this month.